AFTER a season of heartbreak and uncertainty over the club's future, Wrexham fans have something to smile about. Steve Bagnall, himself a supporter, joined the celebrations in Cardiff after yesterday's LDV Vans final

THE Dragons roared in Cardiff yesterday.

Up to 20,000 fans were ecstatic when the whistle blew on Wrexham's 2-0 extra time win over South-end in the LDV Vans Trophy final at the Millennium Stadium.

It was glorious, and no less than players, management team, and fans deserved after a troubled season.

The club had 10 points deducted after going into administration, and no one is still any clearer as to who the new owner of Wrexham will be.

But yesterday the Dragons' red army turned Wales' spectacular sporting venue into a cauldron of colour and celebration, hailing their champions who put in a fantastic performance.

The atmosphere was terrific as thousands of Wrexham supporters descended on Cardiff, welcoming fans from other clubs to join their party.

Supporters of both teams crammed the capital's streets, transforming them into a swathe of red and blue.

En route to the stadium fans draped banners in their cars, with flags waving outside as they made the journey south.

At noon the Wrexham coach, ferrying players and management team, arrived with a police escort.

Fans cheered them into the Millennium Stadium. Across the streets of Cardiff fans blasted horns and hooters on their way to the ground signalling the atmosphere inside was to be something special.

Police closed off roads as the party got in full swing in the bars and alleyways outside.

Before the match began big screens in the ground showed the Dragons road to the final goal by goal, cheered on by a sea of red supporters who took over a large part of the stadium. More than 36,000 fans made the journey to support the two teams.

The gigantic speaker systems further pumped up the supporters with mega bands and artists including the Sterephonics and Killers providing the pre-match sounds.

And then at 2pm the two teams took to the pitch to a flame thrower and firework fanfare with the Led Zeppelin blasting across the pitch.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was also at the match, watching his son Darren captain his side to victory. The younger Ferguson put the seal on Wrexham's triumph, scoring the second goal after Juan Ugarte had netted the first.

As the match kicked off, banks of Dragons fans immediately spurred on their side with a rousing chorus of "We Love You Wrexham, We Do".

Wrexham had the best of the first 20 minutes but by the end of the first half it was Southend that forced Dragons' keeper Ben Foster into good saves to stop them going behind. The second half saw the same passion but neither side could break the deadlock.

However, in extra time the Welsh-men secured victory.

When the final whistle blew the Millennium Stadium exploded into a crescendo of noise from ecstatic Wrexham fans.

On the pitch players hugged and went to pick up their prize as fireworks lit the evening sky and then adoring supporters celebrated.

Wrexham were the LDV Vans champions, and it was time to join the party as the players and beaming manager Denis Smith paraded the trophy around the ground.

After the match, smiling fans told of their delight and hope for the club's future.

John Hughes, 19, had travelled from Wrexham with a group of friends. He said: "It was brilliant. The best we have seen them play for a long time."

Nigel Davies, 42, from Gwyddelwern, near Corwen, who works in public relations, had journeyed south with his son Owain.

"It was magic. I think they deserved the victory and it has been one of those fantastic days. The atmosphere was brilliant.

Alex Buckley from Wrexham, a 17-year-old childcare student at Yale College, said: "Ugarte was a super-star. I just couldn't believe it when we won it was amazing.

"I just hope this spurs somebody on to buy the club."

Jason Roberts, 36, a factory worker from Brynteg agreed: "This is the second best day of my life. My best day was when my daughter was born."

Cardiff fan Stefan Himmler, a graphic designer, said: "I came to support Wrexham. I support Cardiff, who are in trouble too. Wrexham are my second team and it was a great atmosphere with fans from other clubs joining in the support. I am delighted they won."

David Gray from Norwich is a Wrexham fan, who works for Cambridge United.

He said: "It has been great. When Cambridge were in trouble, Wrexham came to help and support. It shows fans are getting together and the barriers are breaking down."

Rocky road to trophy glory

THE agony and the ecstasy of a turbulent season for Wrexham FC fans:

* December 3, 2004: With debts of around #4.2m Wrexham is placed into administration at the High Court sitting in Manchester. It became the first club to incur the Football League's automatic ten-point deduction penalty.

* December 3, 2004: On the same day, Surrey-based property dealer Andrew Smith emerges as a possible buyer. Present owner Alex Hamilton confirms there has been interest and says he is "optimistic".

* January 31, 2005: Andrew Smith, 49, and his consortium pledge to take Wrexham out of administration. A week after agreeing a deal in principle with Cheshire property developer Alex Hamilton, Mr Smith said the first contracts were exchanged.

* February 21, 2005: Prospective buyer Andrew Smith secures an extension to a 24-hour deadline imposed by Alex Hamilton. Pressure mounts as Hamilton has already given the club notice to quit the Racecourse in July, 2005.

* February 21, 2005: Hamilton repeats his original proposal to relocate the club, demolish the Racecourse and sell the prime eight-acre site for redevelopment. There is no Hamilton-Smith deal.

* March 9, 2005: Fortunes turn as Wrexham stand to get six-figure pay-out from the LDV Vans Trophy. Administrator David Acland, of insolvency firm Begbies Traynor, says this financial injection "could not have come at a better time".

* Sunday, April 10, 2005: Wrexham beat Southend United 2-0 in the LDV Vans Trophy Final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. Wrexham fans at last have a reason to smile.